Top Clean Energy Stocks To Buy For 2019

tags:NSP,EVTC,IEC,CPSI,HZO,CHD,

Clean energy stocks in 2018�are on the cusp of massive growth, as the sector is projected to expand by 500% in the United States alone…

The Energy Information Agency is projecting renewable energy production to grow 500% by 2040.

The World's First "Universal Fuel": Physicists have known about an unlimited source of free fuel for over 100 years. See why tech companies are investing millions in this fuel (and how to join them). Click here…

And that means right now is the time to invest in clean energy stocks before they begin to soar.

To help Money Morning readers profit from the massive industry growth ahead, we're giving our readers one of the best clean energy stocks to buy right now. More on that pick in just a bit, but we want to first show you why the renewable energy sector is set to soar…

How Renewables Will Power Clean Energy Stocks in 2018

There are three major catalysts propelling alternative energy sources to explosive growth potential. And as the sector grows, so will renewable energy stocks…

Top Clean Energy Stocks To Buy For 2019: Insperity, Inc.(NSP)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Logan Wallace]

  Insperity (NYSE: NSP) and ASGN (NYSE:ASGN) are both mid-cap business services companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, dividends and valuation.

• [By Ethan Ryder]

  Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd (CVE:NSP) insider Sead Hamzagic sold 141,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$0.21, for a total value of C$29,715.00.

• [By Logan Wallace]

  Atlantic Trust Group LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Insperity Inc (NYSE:NSP) by 16.3% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 28,152 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 5,491 shares during the period. Atlantic Trust Group LLC owned approximately 0.07% of Insperity worth $1,958,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

• [By Joseph Griffin]

  Shares of Insperity Inc (NYSE:NSP) have been given a consensus rating of “Buy” by the six analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has assigned a hold recommendation, three have issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $86.75.

• [By Shane Hupp]

  Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on Insperity (NSP)

  For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

Top Clean Energy Stocks To Buy For 2019: Evertec, Inc.(EVTC)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Joseph Griffin]

  Evertec (NYSE:EVTC) was downgraded by equities research analysts at ValuEngine from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday.

• [By Shane Hupp]

  Equities research analysts at Raymond James initiated coverage on shares of Evertec (NYSE:EVTC) in a report released on Friday, MarketBeat reports. The firm set a “market perform” rating on the business services provider’s stock.

Top Clean Energy Stocks To Buy For 2019: IEC Electronics Corp.(IEC)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin] Gainers Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRPA) shares jumped 31.6 percent to $12.18 following TripAdvisor Q1 earnings beat. ZAGG Inc (NASDAQ: ZAGG) rose 26.5 percent to $14.55 after the company posted better-than-expected Q1 earnings. OPKO Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPK) shares gained 25 percent to $4.0234 following Q1 beat. Axon Enterprise, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAXN) jumped 23.5 percent to $55.12 following a big Q1 beat. The company raised its fiscal 2018 sales growth guidance from 16-18 percent to 18-20 percent. Penn Virginia Corporation (NASDAQ: PVAC) gained 23.3 percent to $59.00 after reporting Q1 results. TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) rose 22.5 percent to $47.51 after the company reported stronger-than-expected results for its first quarter on Tuesday. Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD) shares surged 21.7 percent to $3.36. Amazon.com's partnership with Sears started in 2017 with an agreement to sell Kenmore-branded appliances online. On Wednesday, the companies announced an extension of their relationship to now include tire delivery and installations. EP Energy Corporation (NYSE: EPE) jumped 21.3 percent to $2.68 following Q1 results. LendingClub Corporation (NYSE: LC) surged 20.4 percent to $3.395 following better-than-expected Q1 earnings. Superior Industries International, Inc. (NYSE: SUP) gained 19 percent to $15.82 after reporting Q1 results. Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLCM) shares rose 18.5 percent to $8.13 following Q1 results. Twilio Inc. (NYSE: TWLO) rose 18.3 percent to $52.47 after the company posted strong quarterly results. Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ: CERS) shares jumped 18.3 percent to $6.47 following quarterly results. IEC Electronics Corp. (NYSE: IEC) shares climbed 17 percent to $4.68 after reporting better-than-expected quarterly earnings. New Relic, Inc. (NYSE: NEWR) rose 16.8 percent to $90.10 following Q4 results. Gulfport Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: GPOR)

Top Clean Energy Stocks To Buy For 2019: Computer Programs and Systems Inc.(CPSI)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Max Byerly]

  Computer Programs & Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPSI) has received an average rating of “Hold” from the nine brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have assigned a hold recommendation, one has given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $30.80.

• [By Stephan Byrd]

  Millrace Asset Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Computer Programs & Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPSI) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund acquired 45,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,314,000. Millrace Asset Group Inc. owned about 0.32% of Computer Programs & Systems at the end of the most recent quarter.

• [By Stephan Byrd]

  Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on Computer Programs & Systems (CPSI)

  For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

Top Clean Energy Stocks To Buy For 2019: MarineMax, Inc.(HZO)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  MarineMax, Inc. (NYSE: HZO) shares were also up, gaining 24 percent to $21.70 as the company posted upbeat Q2 results and raised its FY18 outlook.

  Equities Trading DOWN

• [By Lisa Levin]

  MarineMax, Inc. (NYSE: HZO) shares were also up, gaining 24 percent to $21.75 as the company posted upbeat Q2 results and raised its FY18 outlook.

  Equities Trading DOWN

• [By Lisa Levin]

  MarineMax, Inc. (NYSE: HZO) shares were also up, gaining 24 percent to $21.80 as the company posted upbeat Q2 results and raised its FY18 outlook.

  Equities Trading DOWN

• [By Joseph Griffin]

  Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on MarineMax (HZO)

  For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

• [By Lisa Levin] Gainers Genprex, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX) shares gained 86.76 percent to close at $11.00 on Thursday. Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE: CRK) shares climbed 47.06 percent to close at $7.00 after the company disclosed a deal with Arkoma Drilling L.P. and Williston Drilling, L.P. to buy oil & gas properties in North Dakota. Comstock announced withdrawal of tender offers for outstanding secured notes. Ceridian HCM Holding Inc. (NASDAQ: CDAY) gained 41.86 percent to close at $31.21. MarineMax, Inc. (NYSE: HZO) shares rose 26.5 percent to close at $22.20 as the company posted upbeat Q2 results and raised its FY18 outlook. Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited (NYSE: CCM) jumped 24.92 percent to close at $4.06. Mattersight Corporation (NASDAQ: MATR) shares climbed 23.26 percent to close at $2.65 after the company agreed to be purchased by NICE Ltd. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) rose 24.44 percent to close at $422.50 as the company reported stronger-than-expected results for its first quarter on Wednesday. Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: UCTT) gained 17.75 percent to close at $18.64 following upbeat Q1 earnings. PCM, Inc. (NASDAQ: PCMI) rose 16.59 percent to close at $12.30 following Q1 results. Zymeworks Inc. (NASDAQ: ZYME) rose 16.06 percent to close at $15.25. Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) shares climbed 14.5 percent to close at $121.42 as the company posted reported Q1 beat And raised FY18 outlook. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD) shares gained 13.7 percent to close at $11.04 as the company reported upbeat results for its first quarter. Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM) rose 13.21 percent to close at $3.00 after the company disclosed a positive outcome of the interim analysis of STRIDE-1 Phase 3 trial of AXS-05 in treatment resistant depression. O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: ORLY) jumped 13.06 percent to close at $257.40 following upbeat Q1 profit. BioTelemetry,
• [By Max Byerly]

  MarineMax, Inc. (NYSE:HZO) EVP Charles A. Cashman sold 25,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.92, for a total value of $573,000.00. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.

Top Clean Energy Stocks To Buy For 2019: Church & Dwight Company, Inc.(CHD)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ethan Ryder]

  Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on Church & Dwight (CHD)

  For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

• [By Ethan Ryder]

  Church & Dwight (NYSE:CHD) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 13,509,412 shares, a growth of 25.9% from the April 13th total of 10,734,473 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,175,548 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 6.2 days. Approximately 5.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

• [By Max Byerly]

  Compass Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (NYSE:CHD) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 555,749 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $29,544,000. Church & Dwight comprises about 4.3% of Compass Capital Management Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest holding. Compass Capital Management Inc. owned about 0.23% of Church & Dwight as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

• [By Shane Hupp]

  Church & Dwight (NYSE: CHD) and Unilever (NYSE:UL) are both large-cap consumer staples companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings and valuation.

Capital City Trust Co Buys DowDuPont Inc, Blackstone Group LP

Investment company Capital City Trust Co buys DowDuPont Inc, Blackstone Group LP during the 3-months ended 2018-06-30, according to the most recent filings of the investment company, Capital City Trust Co. As of 2018-06-30, Capital City Trust Co owns 97 stocks with a total value of $234 million. These are the details of the buys and sells.

New Purchases: DWDP, BX, Added Positions: XOM, IBM, PM, ETN, ENB, CMP, CCBG, AMGN, VYM, TGT, Reduced Positions: KO, AGG, CSJ, AAPL, MSFT, ORCL, GOOGL, ROP, CTSH, TMO,

For the details of CAPITAL CITY TRUST CO's stock buys and sells, go to http://www.gurufocus.com/StockBuy.php?GuruName=CAPITAL+CITY+TRUST+CO

These are the top 5 holdings of CAPITAL CITY TRUST COCoca-Cola Co (KO) - 863,243 shares, 16.18% of the total portfolio. Shares reduced by 1.62%iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond (AGG) - 127,531 shares, 5.8% of the total portfolio. Shares reduced by 2.14%iShares 1-3 Year Credit Bond ETF (CSJ) - 79,527 shares, 3.53% of the total portfolio. Shares reduced by 2.27%Apple Inc (AAPL) - 33,408 shares, 2.64% of the total portfolio. Shares reduced by 1.77%Microsoft Corp (MSFT) - 62,365 shares, 2.63% of the total portfolio. Shares reduced by 1.45%New Purchase: DowDuPont Inc (DWDP)

Capital City Trust Co initiated holding in DowDuPont Inc. The purchase prices were between $62.04 and $70.04, with an estimated average price of $66.14. The stock is now traded at around $65.82. The impact to a portfolio due to this purchase was 0.12%. The holding were 4,114 shares as of 2018-06-30.

New Purchase: Blackstone Group LP (BX)

Capital City Trust Co initiated holding in Blackstone Group LP. The purchase prices were between $30.71 and $33.3, with an estimated average price of $31.82. The stock is now traded at around $35.95. The impact to a portfolio due to this purchase was 0.11%. The holding were 7,803 shares as of 2018-06-30.

Here is the complete portfolio of CAPITAL CITY TRUST CO. Also check out:

1. CAPITAL CITY TRUST CO's Undervalued Stocks
2. CAPITAL CITY TRUST CO's Top Growth Companies, and
3. CAPITAL CITY TRUST CO's High Yield stocks
4. Stocks that CAPITAL CITY TRUST CO keeps buying

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2018: 6 Things to Know

Nordstrom (NYSE:JWN) announced that the company is running its annual Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year.

Here are six things to know about it:

The company said that its retail sale will offer a number of deep discounts on some of its best apparel items and the sale is only eight days away as it launches Friday, July 20, running through Monday, Aug. 6. Although the sale technically opens to the public on the 20th, company card holders will have early access to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starting on Thursday, July 12. You can also get the card before then if you don’t have one and shop early to ensure your favorite item doesn’t sell out. The sale is a special one because it’s not a close out sale or a seasonal when due to the fact that the company needs to get rid of some old inventory. Instead, the sale is geared towards new styles at great prices for a limited time. You’ll be able to buy everything from clothes, shoes, household items, accessories and beauty products. Brands offering items at a discount include Theory, MCM, Topshop, Nike and Alo Yago. Nordstrom in-house brands including Halogen and Zella are also offering sales. The sale also applies to the Nordstrom Buy Online & Pick Up In Store service, which allows you to reserve an item online and pick it up an hour later at your local Nordstrom location.

JWN stock is down 1.1% Thursday.

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Top 5 Bank Stocks To Own For 2019

tags:WFC,AP,CM,FCF,HSBA,

Equity markets across Asia were lower early Tuesday, tracking overnight declines in the U.S., as cautious investors looked ahead to elections in the U.K. and a European Central Bank meeting.

Investors are also looking for any fallout from former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey��s public testimony about alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. Comey��s testimony is scheduled for Thursday, as are the U.K. elections and the ECB meeting.

Top 5 Bank Stocks To Own For 2019: Wells Fargo & Company(WFC)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Motley Fool Staff]

  In the latest chapter of the Wells Fargo�(NYSE:WFC) saga, the bank has agreed to a $1 billion penalty from the CFPB -- the largest penalty ever levied by the agency. In this clip, host Michael Douglass and Fool.com contributor Matt Frankel discuss what this means to investors.

• [By Douglas A. McIntyre]

  
  U.S. sanctions of Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) may last longer than expected. According to The Wall Street Journal:

  Wells Fargo & Co. will remain constrained by a regulator-imposed limit on growth for longer than expected, its chief executive said Thursday, as the bank continues to address the ramifications of risk-management failures.

• [By ]

  Citigroup Inc. (C)  , a rival Wall Street bank, said in a separate report Friday that first-quarter profit jumped 13%, also fueled by growth in trading revenue. Meanwhile, San Francisco-based Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC) , struggling to recover from a series of regulatory penalties over allegedly aggressive sales practices, posted a 5.5% profit increase on a preliminary basis, noting that legal costs might have to be revised higher pending discussions with regulators over as much as $1 billion of new penalties related to auto insurance and mortgage-related violations. Bank of America Corp. (BAC) , Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) and Morgan Stanley (MS) are all scheduled to post results next week.

Top 5 Bank Stocks To Own For 2019: Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation(AP)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By ]

  The 2018 Subaru Outback, one of the original SUV alternatives. Subaru is well-known for offering cars that can handle themselves when the going gets rough, and its Outback lies squarely in that tradition. (Photo: AP)

• [By ]

  Kabul, Afghanistan (AP) -- A Taliban assault on the Intercontinental Hotel in Afghanistan's capital killed at least six people, including a foreigner, and pinned security forces down for more than 13 hours before the last attacker was killed on Sunday, with the casualty toll expected to rise.

• [By ]

  Wellington, New Zealand (AP) -- New Zealand plans to slaughter about 150,000 cows as it tries to eradicate a strain of disease-causing bacteria from the national herd.

• [By ]

  Panama City, Fla. (AP) -- A man suspected of trading wild bursts of gunfire with officers during a long standoff in the Florida Panhandle was found dead Tuesday in a gasoline-soaked apartment after an armored vehicle approached, authorities said.

Top 5 Bank Stocks To Own For 2019: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce(CM)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Motley Fool Staff]

  Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM)Q2 2018 Earnings Conference CallMay 23, 2018, 8:00 a.m. ET

  Contents: Prepared Remarks Questions and Answers Call Participants Prepared Remarks:

  Operator

• [By Logan Wallace]

  A number of firms have modified their ratings and price targets on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE: CM) recently:

  6/6/2018 – Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was upgraded by analysts at Citigroup Inc from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating. They now have a C$130.00 price target on the stock, up previously from C$125.00. 5/24/2018 – Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was downgraded by analysts at National Bank Financial from an “outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating. They now have a C$124.00 price target on the stock, down previously from C$136.00. 5/24/2018 – Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had its price target lowered by analysts at Scotiabank from C$131.00 to C$127.00. They now have a “sector perform” rating on the stock. 5/24/2018 – Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had its price target lowered by analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from C$141.00 to C$135.00. They now have a “sector perform” rating on the stock. 5/24/2018 – Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was given a new C$140.00 price target on by analysts at Eight Capital. 5/24/2018 – Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had its price target raised by analysts at Barclays PLC from C$133.00 to C$138.00.

  CM traded up C$0.59 on Wednesday, reaching C$115.86. 987,570 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,290,708. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a fifty-two week low of C$103.84 and a fifty-two week high of C$124.37.

• [By Stephan Byrd]

  Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM) (TSE:CM) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, May 23rd, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 28th will be paid a dividend of 1.036 per share by the bank on Friday, July 27th. This represents a $4.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.63%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 27th.

• [By Max Byerly]

  Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the Province of Alberta as represented by Alberta Investment Management Corp boosted its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM) (TSE:CM) by 54.3% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 911,300 shares of the bank’s stock after buying an additional 320,800 shares during the quarter. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce comprises approximately 1.0% of Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the Province of Alberta as represented by Alberta Investment Management Corp’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest position. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the Province of Alberta as represented by Alberta Investment Management Corp’s holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce were worth $103,633,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Top 5 Bank Stocks To Own For 2019: First Commonwealth Financial Corporation(FCF)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Joseph Griffin]

  Barclays PLC increased its holdings in First Commonwealth Financial (NYSE:FCF) by 24.3% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 33,717 shares of the bank’s stock after buying an additional 6,593 shares during the period. Barclays PLC’s holdings in First Commonwealth Financial were worth $476,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

• [By Joseph Griffin]

  Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on First Commonwealth Financial (FCF)

  For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

• [By Logan Wallace]

  Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on First Commonwealth Financial (FCF)

  For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

Top 5 Bank Stocks To Own For 2019: HSBC Holdings PLC (HSBA)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Joseph Griffin]

  HSBC (LON:HSBA) had its target price lowered by equities research analysts at Shore Capital from GBX 721 ($9.60) to GBX 625 ($8.32) in a report issued on Tuesday. The brokerage presently has a “sell” rating on the financial services provider’s stock. Shore Capital’s price objective indicates a potential downside of 14.71% from the company’s previous close.

• [By Ethan Ryder]

  HSBC (LON:HSBA) had its price target dropped by equities research analysts at Citigroup from GBX 810 ($10.78) to GBX 800 ($10.65) in a report released on Tuesday. The brokerage currently has a “buy” rating on the financial services provider’s stock. Citigroup’s price target points to a potential upside of 9.59% from the stock’s previous close.

1 Top Oil Stock to Consider Buying for the 2nd Half of 2018

Shares of Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN) have been all over the place so far in 2018. Investors initially pounded the stock after it reported disappointing fourth-quarter results to start the year. However, it has recovered since then after posting much better numbers in the first quarter as well as surprising investors with a big-time dividend increase and share buyback program. Still, shares are only up about 7% this year even though crude prices have been scorching-hot, rocketing more than 20% year to date.

That underperformance, though, could reverse in the second half of 2018 thanks to Devon Energy's expanded share buyback program, making it a top oil stock to consider buying right now.

Image source: Getty Images.

Backing up the truck

After selling some noncore assets in March, Devon Energy announced plans to send back significantly more cash to its shareholders going forward. It boosted its dividend 33% while also authorizing a $1 billion share repurchase program, which was enough to retire 6% of its outstanding stock at the time. The company quickly got to work buying back shares, spending $204 million on 6.2 million of them by the end of April, putting it on pace to complete the program by year-end.

However, after announcing the sale of its interest in EnLink Midstream Partners (NYSE: ENLK) and EnLink Midstream (NYSE: ENLC) for $3.125 billion in June, it boosted its buyback authorization up to $4 billion. That represents enough cash to retire roughly 20% of its outstanding shares. Devon expects the sale of EnLink to close this July, which will enable it to accelerate the pace of repurchases through the end of 2019.

Unrivaled in its peer group

The size of Devon's buyback is worth noting given the impact that smaller plans have had on the shares of rivals in the past year. Last fall, for example, Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE:APC) announced a $2.5 billion share repurchase program, which at the time could have retired 10% of its outstanding shares. Anadarko would go on to add $500 million to that plan earlier this year, which it expected to complete by the end of the second quarter. It's been a needle-mover for the company's stock, which has rocketed 63% since it made the initial announcement in September. For comparison's sake, Devon's stock is up about 27% over that time frame while crude has surged 39%.

Hess (NYSE:HES), meanwhile, authorized a $500 million buyback last fall, which it boosted by $1 billion earlier this year. At the time, that was enough money to retire about 10% of Hess' outstanding stock. The company has been making quick work of that authorization, buying back the first $500 million by the end of the first quarter and commencing an accelerated share repurchase in April for another $500 million. Those repurchases have helped drive Hess' stock up more than 50% since the initial announcement last November, vastly outperforming oil -- up 27% since then -- and Devon Energy, which is up about 16% over that span.

Those needle-moving repurchase programs are a key reason why Anadarko and Hess are two of the best-performing oil stocks so far in 2018. Given that Devon Energy's buyback is even larger, and its shares have underperformed, its stock has the potential to significantly outperform most other oil stocks in the second half of this year as it starts buying back shares hand over fist.

The run is nowhere close to being done

Devon Energy's buyback has already started to move the needle for investors considering that shares have rebounded 43% since hitting bottom in early March. However, the stock still has plenty of room to run since it's barely up for the year and still trades at a discount to its peers, which it hopes to address by accelerating its share repurchase program. That buyback-fueled upside potential is why I think it's the top oil stock to buy heading into the second half of 2018.